Method for forming braille text and inkjet printer

ABSTRACT

A method for forming braille text on a recording medium, the braille text including cells with one or more dots in each cell, and at least one of the cells includes a plurality of dots therein, includes discharging a photocurable ink onto the recording medium and curing the discharged photocurable ink with light, thus forming a print layer on the recording medium, and discharging a photocurable ink onto the print layer and curing the discharged photocurable ink with light, thus forming one or more additional print layers on the print layer. The braille text has an intra-cell dot-to-dot spacing of about 0.38 mm or more and about 1.32 mm or less.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to Japanese PatentApplication No. 2017-092895 filed on May 9, 2017 and Japanese PatentApplication No. 2018-056874 filed on Mar. 23, 2018. The entire contentsof each application are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method for forming braille text andan inkjet printer.

2. Description of the Related Art

ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990)-compliant braille text and3D signage have been used in the art. Braille text is produced by, forexample, embossing, and 3D signage is produced by machining, molding, orany other of various techniques.

For example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. Hei8-175029discloses a technique for producing braille text, albeit Japanesebraille, by heating a thermal transfer sheet having a thermal expansionlayer by means of a thermal head.

It is difficult to produce braille text in a simple and quick mannerbecause it requires embossing a recording medium, etc. It is alsodifficult to produce 3D signage in a simple and quick manner because theproduction requires machine tools, molding machines, molds, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method for forming braille text on a recording medium according to apreferred embodiment of the present invention is a method for formingbraille text on a recording medium, the braille text including aplurality of cells including one or more dots arranged in each cell, atleast one of the cells including a plurality of dots arranged therein,the method including discharging a photocurable ink onto the recordingmedium and curing the discharged photocurable ink with light, thusforming a print layer on the recording medium; and discharging aphotocurable ink onto the print layer and curing with light thedischarged photocurable ink, thus forming one or more additional printlayer on the print layer. The step of forming at least one of the printlayer and the additional print layer includes the step of repeating thedischarging and curing of the photocurable ink and an operation ofmoving the recording medium in a first direction over a first distance;and the first distance is greater than an intra-cell dot-to-dot spacingin the first direction.

With methods for forming braille text according to preferred embodimentsof the present invention, it is possible to easily form braille textusing a method for forming a plurality of print layers with aphotocurable ink.

An inkjet printer for forming braille text on a recording mediumaccording to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, thebraille text including a plurality of cells with one or more dotsarranged in each cell, at least one of the cells including a pluralityof dots arranged therein, includes an ink head including a plurality ofnozzles arranged in line in a first direction that discharge aphotocurable ink onto the recording medium; a conveyor that moves theink head in a second direction that is perpendicular or substantiallyperpendicular to the first direction; a photoirradiator that outputslight to cure the photocurable ink onto the recording medium; a feederthat moves the recording medium in the first direction; and a controllerconfigured or programmed to include a print controller that controls theink head, the conveyor, the photoirradiator, and the feeder so as toproduce the braille text with the photocurable ink on the recordingmedium. The print controller is configured or programmed to include afeed amount setter, a feed controller, a discharge controller, a movingcontroller and an irradiation controller. The feed amount setter sets anamount by which the recording medium is fed per one iteration. The feedcontroller controls the feeder so as to feed the recording medium in thefirst direction by the feed amount set by the feed amount setter per oneiteration. The discharge controller controls the ink head so as todischarge the photocurable ink onto the recording medium between a feedoperation and another feed operation by the feeder. The movingcontroller controls the conveyor so as to move the ink head in thesecond direction between a feed operation and another feed operation bythe feeder. The irradiation controller controls the photoirradiator soas to output light onto the photocurable ink having been discharged ontothe recording medium between a feed operation and another feed operationby the feeder. The feed amount setter is configured or programmed sothat it is possible to set the feed amount to be greater than anintra-cell dot-to-dot spacing in the first direction.

With the inkjet printers according to preferred embodiments of thepresent invention described above, it is possible to easily and quicklyform braille text using a method for forming a plurality of print layerswith a photocurable ink.

The above and other elements, features, steps, characteristics andadvantages of the present invention will become more apparent from thefollowing detailed description of the preferred embodiments withreference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an inkjet printer according to apreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a main portion of the inkjet printer.

FIG. 3 shows a configuration of the bottom surface of the carriage.

FIG. 4 shows a configuration of braille text.

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a dot of braille text.

FIG. 6A is a vertical cross-sectional view of a second print layer inthe first step after the start of formation.

FIG. 6B is a vertical cross-sectional view of the second print layer atthe time of a pass following that of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6C is a vertical cross-sectional view of the second print layerupon completion of the layer-stacking printing in the first area.

FIG. 7 shows the relationship between the recording medium feed lengthand the dot arrangement.

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary 3D print.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an inkjet printer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be describedwith reference to the drawings. The preferred embodiments describedherein are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.Elements or components having the same or similar function will bedenoted by the same reference signs, and redundant descriptions will beomitted or simplified. In the following description, when an inkjetprinter is seen from the front side, the direction away from the inkjetprinter will be referred to as “front” and the direction towards theinkjet printer as “rear”. The character “Y” in the figures denotes theprimary scanning direction and the character “X” the secondary scanningdirection perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the primaryscanning direction Y. Of the primary scanning direction Y, the directionthat corresponds to the leftward direction of the inkjet printer isdenoted as “first primary scanning direction Y1” and the direction thatcorresponds to the rightward direction thereof as “second primaryscanning direction Y2”. Of the secondary scanning direction X, thedirection that corresponds to the rearward direction of the inkjetprinter is denoted as “upstream X1” and the direction that correspondsto the forward direction thereof as “downstream X2”. The designations F,Rr, L, R, U and D, as used in the figures, refer to front, rear, left,right, up and down, respectively. Note, however, that these designationsof direction are used merely for the purpose of illustration, and do notlimit how the inkjet printer is installed or configured.

First Preferred Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an inkjet printer 10 according to afirst preferred embodiment of the present invention. The inkjet printer10 includes a casing 2, and a platen 4 that supports a recording medium5.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the main portion of the inkjet printer10. The main portion is arranged inside the casing 2. The inkjet printer10 includes a guide rail 3 provided in the casing 2. The guide rail 3extends in the primary scanning direction Y and is secured on the leftwall and the right wall of the casing 2. A carriage 1 is in engagementwith the guide rail 3. The carriage 1 includes an ink discharge head 21mounted thereon.

FIG. 3 shows a configuration of the bottom surface of the carriage 1. Asshown in FIG. 3, the ink discharge head 21 is mounted on the bottomsurface of the carriage 1. The ink discharge head 21 includes six inkheads 21C, 21M, 21Y, 21K, 21W and 21C1. The ink heads 21C, 21M, 21Y,21K, 21W and 21C1 are arranged in line in the primary scanning directionY. Each of the ink heads 21C, 21M, 21Y, 21K, 21W and 21C1 includes aplurality of nozzles 24 that are arranged in line in the secondaryscanning direction X. The pitch of the nozzles 24 is preferably the sameor substantially the same for all of the ink heads 21C, 21M, 21Y, 21K,21W and 21C1. The number of nozzles 24 is also preferably the same orsubstantially the same for all of the ink heads 21C, 21M, 21Y, 21K, 21Wand 21C1. The positions of the nozzles 24 in the secondary scanningdirection X are preferably the same or substantially the same for theink heads 21C, 21M, 21Y, 21K, 21W and 21C1.

As shown in FIG. 3, each of the ink heads 21C to 21C1 includes aplurality of nozzles 24 arranged in line in the secondary scanningdirection X with the pitch P1. The pitch P1 is preferably about 0.14 mm,for example. However, the pitch P1 of the nozzles 24 on each of the inkheads 21C to 21C1 is not limited thereto.

As shown in FIG. 2, the inkjet printer 10 includes an ink tank 11storing ink therein. The inks stored therein are UV-curable inks thatcure when irradiated with UV light. The ink tank 11 includes ink tanks11C, 11M, 11Y, 11K, 11W and 11C1 preferably storing therein a cyan ink,a magenta ink, a yellow ink, a black ink, a white ink and a clear ink,respectively, for example. Note, however, that there is no particularlimitation on the colors of the inks. Although inks of four colors arepreferably used as color inks in the present preferred embodiment, thenumber of color inks used in the inkjet printer 10 is not limited tofour. While two types of inks, i.e., a white ink and a clear ink, forexample, are preferably used as special color inks other than colorinks, the special color inks to be used in the inkjet printer 10 are notlimited thereto. There is no particular limitation on the number of inktanks 11.

The ink heads 21C, 21M, 21Y, 21K, 21W and 21C1 are connected to the inktanks 11C, 11M, 11Y, 11K, 11W and 11C1, respectively, through ink paths14. The inkjet printer 10 includes an ink path 14 connected to the inkhead 21C and the ink tank 11C, an ink path 14 connected to the ink head21M and the ink tank 11M, an ink path 14 connected to the ink head 21Yand the ink tank 11Y, an ink path 14 connected to the ink head 21K andthe ink tank 11K, an ink path 14 connected to the ink head 21W and theink tank 11W, and an ink path 14 connected to the ink head 21C1 and theink tank 11C1. While there is no particular limitation on the structureand the material of the ink paths 14, resin tubes, for example, arepreferably used in the present preferred embodiment. The ink paths 14supply inks from the ink tanks 11C, 11M, 11Y, 11K, 11W and 11C1 to theink heads 21C, 21M, 21Y, 21K, 21W and 21C1, respectively. The ink paths14 include pumps 15 that pump the inks from the ink tanks 11C, 11M, 11Y,11K, 11W and 11C1 towards the ink heads 21C, 21M, 21Y, 21K, 21W and21C1, respectively. Note, however, that the pumps 15 may not benecessary and may be omitted. A portion of the ink paths 14 extends inthe left-right direction and is wrapped around by a cableprotecting/guiding device 7.

The carriage 1 includes a first UV lamp 25 a and a second UV lamp 25 b.The first UV lamp 25 a is disposed on the left side of the ink dischargehead 21. The second UV lamp 25 b is disposed on the right side of theink discharge head 21.

The carriage 1 is capable of being slid by a carriage conveyor 8 in theprimary scanning direction Y along the guide rail 3. The carriageconveyor 8 includes pulleys 8 b and 8 c disposed at the right end sideand the left end side, respectively, of the guide rail 3. A carriagemotor 8 a is linked to the pulley 8 b. The pulley 8 b is driven androtated by the carriage motor 8 a. An endless belt 6 is wound around thepulleys 8 b and 8 c. The carriage 1 is secured on the belt 6. The belt 6runs as the pulleys 8 b and 8 c rotate, thus moving the carriage 1 inthe primary scanning direction Y.

The recording medium 5 is fed by a feeder 9 downstream X2 in thesecondary scanning direction X. The platen 4 is provided under thecarriage 1. A pinch roller 9 b that holds down the recording medium 5 isprovided over the platen 4. A grid roller 9 c is provided under thepinch roller 9 b. The grid roller 9 c is linked to a feed motor 9 a. Thegrid roller 9 c is driven and rotated by the feed motor 9 a. As the gridroller 9 c rotates with the recording medium 5 sandwiched between thegrid roller 9 c and the pinch roller 9 b, the recording medium 5 is feddownstream X2 in the secondary scanning direction X.

The recording medium 5 is a medium on which the discharged ink lands,thus forming a print on the surface thereof. There is no particularlimitation on the material and the configuration of the recording medium5. For example, the recording medium 5 may be a sheet or film of paperor resin, or may be a plate of wood, metal or resin.

The inkjet printer 10 includes a controller 30. Although there is noparticular limitation on the hardware configuration thereof, thecontroller 30 may preferably be a computer including a CPU, a ROM, aRAM, and other components. The controller 30 is connected to thecarriage motor 8 a, the feed motor 9 a, the ink discharge head 21 andthe first and second UV lamps 25 a and 25 b so that the controller 30 isable to communicate with, and control, these elements. The controller 30controls the carriage motor 8 a, the feed motor 9 a, the ink dischargehead 21, and the first and second UV lamps 25 a and 25 b in order toprint on the recording medium 5.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an inkjet printer 10. As shown in FIG. 10,the controller 30 is connected to the carriage motor 8 a, the feed motor9 a, the ink discharge head 21, and the first and second UV lamps 25 aand 25 b, and controls the operation of these components. The controller30 preferably is configured or programmed to include a print controller31 and a size setter 32. The print controller 31 controls the ink heads21C to 21C1, the carriage conveyor 8, the first UV lamp 25 a, and thesecond UV lamp 25 b, which are photoirradiators, and the feeder 9 so asto form braille text on the recording medium 5 with the photocurableink. The print controller 31 may also control these various componentsso as to form a 3D print on the recording medium 5 with the photocurableink. Note that the print controller 31 may not be a single processorthat controls the ink heads 21C to 21C1, the carriage conveyor 8, thefirst UV lamp 25 a and the second UV lamp 25 b, and the feeder 9, butmay be a plurality of processors that respectively control thesecomponents. The size setter 32 is a processor that sets the size of thephotocurable ink discharged from the nozzles 24. As shown in FIG. 10,the print controller 31 preferably is configured or programmed toinclude a feed amount setter 31A, a feed controller 31B, a dischargecontroller 31C, a moving controller 31D and an irradiation controller31E.

The feed amount setter 31A sets the amount by which the recording medium5 is fed per one iteration.

The feed controller 31B controls the feeder 9 so as to feed therecording medium 5 in the secondary scanning direction X by the feedamount set by the feed amount setter 31A per one iteration.

The discharge controller 31C controls the ink heads 21C to 21C1 so as todischarge the photocurable ink onto the recording medium 5 between afeed operation and another feed operation by the feeder 9.

The moving controller 31D controls the carriage conveyor 8 so as to movethe ink heads 21C to 21C1 in the primary scanning direction Y between afeed operation and another feed operation by the feeder 9.

The irradiation controller 31E controls the first UV lamp 25 a and thesecond UV lamp 25 b so as to output light onto the photocurable inkhaving been discharged onto the recording medium 5 between a feedoperation and another feed operation by the feeder 9.

The controller 30 may include processors, which will not be describedherein, other than the print controller 31 and the size setter 32.

In the first preferred embodiment, the inkjet printer 10 forms brailletext on the recording medium 5. FIG. 4 shows a configuration of brailletext formed by the inkjet printer 10 according to the present preferredembodiment. Each letter 100 of braille text shown in FIG. 4 includes amaximum of six dots 101. The dots 101 are formed three-dimensionally onthe recording medium 5. Braille text represents an alphabet letter basedon the presence/absence of a dot 101 at each of the six predeterminedpositions. Each circle in FIG. 4 that is hatched and delimited by asolid line represents a position at which the dot 101 is formed on therecording medium 5. Each circle in FIG. 4 that is delimited by atwo-dot-chain line represents a position at which the dot 101 is absenton the recording medium 5. Adjacent dots 101 in each letter are spacedapart from each other by a predetermined distance (the dot-to-dotspacing L1) in the primary scanning direction Y and in the secondaryscanning direction X. In the description of the present preferredembodiment, the rectangular shape that circumscribes six dots 101 isreferred to as a cell 102. Adjacent cells 102, i.e., adjacent letters100, are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance (theinter-cell spacing L2) in the primary scanning direction Y and in thesecondary scanning direction X.

Braille text shown in FIG. 4 is formed from ink discharged from the inkdischarge head 21 of the inkjet printer 10. Braille text is a printproduced by the inkjet printer 10. While there is no particularlimitation on the types of ink used for braille text, a white ink and aclear ink, for example, are preferably used herein.

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a dot 101 of braille text.Note, however, that FIG. 5 is a schematic view, and may not necessarilyrepresent the actual proportions of the various portions. Braille textof FIG. 5 includes three print layers. A first print layer Ly1, of thethree print layers, is formed directly on the recording medium 5. Thefirst print layer Ly1 is the lowermost layer of the three print layers.The first print layer Ly1 is formed from the clear ink. A second printlayer Ly2 is formed directly on the first print layer Ly1. The secondprint layer Ly2 is also formed from the clear ink. A third print layerLy3 is formed directly on the second print layer Ly2. The third printlayer Ly3 is the uppermost layer of the three print layers. The thirdprint layer Ly3 is formed from the white ink.

The first print layer Ly1 according to the present preferred embodimentis preferably a “matte” print layer of the clear ink. The matte printlayer has relatively large surface irregularities, thus resulting in aglossless finish. During the formation of the first print layer Ly1, thecontroller 30 causes the clear ink to be discharged from the ink head21C1 while moving the carriage 1 in the primary scanning direction Y.The controller 30 causes the clear ink to be discharged from the inkhead 21C1 while moving the carriage 1 in the first primary scanningdirection Y1 (leftward). The print direction of the inkjet printer 10according to the present preferred embodiment is the first primaryscanning direction Y1. When discharging the clear ink, the second UVlamp 25 b outputs UV light towards the recording medium 5. The second UVlamp 25 b is disposed on the second primary scanning direction Y2(rightward) side relative to the ink discharge head 21. That is, thesecond UV lamp 25 b is disposed rearward in the print direction. Whenforming the first print layer Ly1, the clear ink is cured by UV lightoutput from the second UV lamp 25 b immediately after being discharged.Thus, the clear ink is cured while its graininess still remains.Therefore, relatively large irregularities remain on the surface of thematte print layer. In this process, the first UV lamp 25 a does not needto be lit. The controller 30 moves the carriage 1 over the print area,scanning the print area in the first primary scanning direction Y1, thusforming a print layer for one scanning line. Then, the carriage 1 isreturned in the second primary scanning direction Y2. The inkjet printer10 according to the present preferred embodiment does not discharge inkat this point. The second primary scanning direction is the returndirection.

During the discharge operation of the ink head 21C1, the dischargecontroller 31C of the controller 30 controls the ink head 21C1 so thatink dots are formed with an intended resolution in the primary scanningdirection Y. The ink dot resolution is included in the braille textprint data, for example. In other words, the resolution is the densitywith which ink dots are formed. The ink dot formation density may berepresented by the minimum landing spacing of photocurable ink in theprimary scanning direction Y (the shortest spacing between photocurableink droplets upon landing). For example, where two ink dots include afirst ink dot and a second ink dot, the discharge controller 31C isconfigured or programmed such that the photocurable ink is discharged soas to form a first ink dot and the photocurable ink is discharged so asto form a second ink dot with at least the minimum landing spacingtherebetween in the primary scanning direction Y. The minimum landingspacing is determined by the moving speed of the carriage 1 and the timeinterval at which photocurable ink droplets are discharged. Thedischarge controller 31C controls the minimum landing spacing to anintended distance by controlling the time interval at which ink dropletsare discharged from the ink heads 21C to 21C1. The minimum landingspacing is preferably about 0.07 mm, for example.

After forming a print layer for one scanning line, the controller 30drives the feed motor 9 a to feed a predetermined length of therecording medium 5 downstream X2. The predetermined length is the lengthLh shown in FIG. 3. The length Lh is equal or substantially equal to thepitch of the nozzles 24 multiplied by the number of nozzles 24. Thecontroller 30 feeds a length Lh of the recording medium 5 downstream X2per one iteration. Thus, an unprinted area of the recording medium 5 ismoved under the ink discharge head 21. The controller 30 similarlydischarges and cures ink on this unprinted area of the recording medium5. The inkjet printer 10 forms the first print layer Ly1 by repeatingthis operation until the carriage 1 scans across the entire print area.Thus, for the thickness direction, the first print layer Ly1 is formedfrom a single shot of clear ink.

The length Lh is preferably about 25.4 mm, for example. However, thelength Lh is not limited thereto. Herein, the length Lh is the maximumvalue of the length over which the recording medium 5 is able to be feddownstream X2. The feed amount by which the recording medium 5 is feddownstream X2 per one feed is Lh/N (N is a natural number). Under printconditions for forming the first print layer Ly1, N is 1. Under printconditions for a different print layer, N may be set to a differentvalue. Note that N may hereinafter also be referred to as the “number oflayers”.

The second print layer Ly2 is formed on the first print layer Ly1. Thesecond print layer Ly2 according to the present preferred embodiment ispreferably a “glossy” print layer of the clear ink, for example. Thesurface irregularities of the glossy print layer are relatively small,and the surface of the glossy print layer therefore has a glossy finish.Between the formation of the first print layer Ly1 and the formation ofthe second print layer Ly2, the recording medium 5 is once returned tothe upstream X1 side. Then, the formation of the second print layer Ly2is started. During the formation of the second print layer Ly2, thefirst UV lamp 25 a is lit. The second UV lamp 25 b is turned off. Thefirst UV lamp 25 a is disposed on the first primary scanning directionY1 (leftward) side relative to the ink discharge head 21. The first UVlamp 25 a is disposed on the front side in the print direction. In otherwords, the first UV lamp 25 a is disposed on the rear side in the returndirection. During the formation of the second print layer Ly2, thecontroller 30 causes the clear ink to be discharged from the ink head21C1 while moving the carriage 1 in the first primary scanning directionY1. The discharged ink is cured by UV light output from the first UVlamp 25 a while the carriage 1 is being returned in the second primaryscanning direction Y2. In the formation of the second print layer Ly2,an amount of time that is one scanning period or longer passes betweendischarging ink and curing ink. The first amount of time refers to theamount of time to pass since the ink is discharged until the ink isirradiated with UV light when forming the first print layer Ly1, forexample, and the second amount of time is the amount of time to passsince the ink is discharged until the ink is irradiated with UV lightwhen forming the second print layer Ly2. The second amount of time ispreferably longer than the first amount of time. The clear ink flattensby virtue of gravity over the second amount of time, thus forming arelatively smooth surface.

As described above, even if print layers are formed from the same clearink, the texture will differ between the print layers dependingparticularly on the amount of time between discharging the ink andcuring the ink. In order to obtain an even smoother surface for theglossy print layer, the amount of clear ink per shot may be less thanthat for the matte print layer. Decreasing the droplet size of thedischarged clear ink will make the surface of the cured ink evensmoother. However, by decreasing the amount of ink to be discharged andby waiting for the ink to flatten before the ink is cured, the printlayer to be formed from a single shot of ink will be thin.

When forming the second print layer Ly2, the controller 30 moves therecording medium 5 downstream X2 over a predetermined distance that isshorter than that when forming the first print layer Ly1. For example,the feed length is preferably about 1/10 the feed length Lh used whenforming the first print layer Ly1.

FIG. 6A is a vertical cross-sectional view of the second print layer Ly2in the first step after the start of formation. A first area A1 of FIG.6A is an area of the second print layer Ly2 that is located at thedownstream X2 end. In the first step, the controller 30 causes the clearink to be discharged from a subset of nozzles 24 of the ink head 21C1that are provided at the upstream X1 end, and the discharged clear inkis cured, thus forming the first area A1. The length of the first areaA1 in the secondary scanning direction X is preferably about Lh/10, forexample. The height of the first area A1 from the upper surface of thefirst print layer Ly1 is Tu as shown in FIG. 6A. The height Tu is theheight of a layer to be formed from a single shot of ink. In thefollowing second step, the controller 30 moves the recording medium 5downstream X2 over the feed length of about Lh/10.

FIG. 6B is a vertical cross-sectional view of the second print layer Ly2at the time of a pass following that of FIG. 6A. A second area A2 is anarea of the second print layer Ly2 that is located upstream X1 of thefirst area A1. In the third step, following the second step, the secondarea A2 is formed from the clear ink discharged from the subset ofnozzles 24 of the ink head 21C1 that are provided at the upstream X1 endin the secondary scanning direction X. The subset of nozzles 24 arethose nozzles 24 that have discharged ink onto the first area A1 in FIG.6A. The length of the second area A2 in the secondary scanning directionX is preferably about Lh/10, for example. The height of the second areaA2 from the upper surface of the first print layer Ly1 is Tu. In thethird step, simultaneously with the formation of the second area A2, anadditional shot of the clear ink is discharged also onto the first areaA1 and is cured. The subset of nozzles 24 that discharge ink onto thefirst area A1 in this step are provided downstream X2 of the subset ofnozzles 24 that are discharging ink onto the second area A2. Thus, thesubset of nozzles that discharge ink onto the first area A1 in the firststep are different from the subset of nozzles that discharge ink ontothe first area A1 in the third step. Conversely, the subset of nozzlesthat discharge ink onto the first area A1 in the first step arepreferably the same as the subset of nozzles that discharge ink onto thesecond area A2 in the third step. As a result of the third step, a layerhaving the height Tu is further stacked on the first area A1. At thetime of FIG. 6B, the height of the first area A1 is 2Tu. The height ofthe first area A1 at the time of FIG. 6B is greater, by the height Tu,than the height of the second area A2.

The second print layer Ly2 is formed by repeating these three stepspreferably ten times, for example. FIG. 6C is a vertical cross-sectionalview of the second print layer Ly2 upon completion of the layer-stackingprinting in the first area A1. At the time of FIG. 6C, ten layers arestacked together in the first area A1. The height of the first area A1is about 10Tu. The height of the second area A2 is about 9Tu. Until thestacking of ten layers is completed in the first area A1, there willalways be one more layer in the first area A1 than in the second areaA2. Accordingly, the height of the first area A1 will always be higherby Tu than the height of the second area A2. This similarly holds truefor the difference between the height of the second area A2 and theheight of a third area A3 that is located upstream X1 of the second areaA2. This also holds true for a fourth area A4 to a tenth area A10. Thesecond print layer Ly2 is cascaded down towards the upstream X1 side inthe secondary scanning direction X. In practice, however, every stepportion sags down, so as to form a smooth slope. After the point in timeshown in FIG. 6C, the first area A1 is moved downstream X2 of the inkhead 21C1. Thereafter, during the formation of the second print layerLy2, no ink is discharged onto the first area A1. Thus, for thethickness direction, the second print layer Ly2 is formed from ten shotsof the clear ink. For the length Lh, the controller 30 moves therecording medium 5 downstream X2 ten times.

In the formation of the second print layer Ly2, a glossy print layer isformed so as to give a smooth finish to the surface of the braille text.By giving a glossy finish, a print layer to be formed from a single shotwill be thin, but this is compensated for by stacking ten layers.

The feed amount to form the second print layer Ly2 is set by the feedamount setter 31A of the controller 30. Herein, the feed amount setter31A sets the feed amount to form the second print layer Ly2 based on thenumber of layers N. The feed amount to form the second print layer Ly2is set to the length Lh/N. The number of layers N is included in thebraille text print data. In the example described above, N is preferably10.

The third print layer Ly3 is formed from the white ink on the secondprint layer Ly2. As is the second print layer Ly2, the third print layerLy3 is glossy. Note, however, that as opposed to the second print layerLy2, the third print layer Ly3 is formed in a single scan. For thethickness direction, the third print layer Ly3 is formed from a singleshot of the white ink. The controller 30 moves the recording medium 5downstream X2 over the length Lh per one iteration. The controller 30intermittently repeats the operation described above, thus forming thethird print layer Ly3.

Through the process described above, braille text including three printlayers is formed on the recording medium 5. In the formed braille text,dots 101 in each cell 102 are formed so that the dot-to-dot spacing L1(see FIG. 4) is preferably about 0.5 mm or more and about 1.2 mm orless, for example. The dimension has a tolerance of about 0.12 mm, forexample. Therefore, with the dimension and the tolerance combinedtogether, the dot-to-dot spacing L1 is preferably about 0.38 mm or moreand about 0.62 mm or less, for example.

The height T of the dot 101 (see FIG. 5) is preferably about 0.55 mm ormore and about 0.95 mm or less, for example. The height has a toleranceof about 0.095 mm. Therefore, with the dimension and the tolerancecombined together, the height T of the dot 101 is preferably about 0.455mm or more and about 1.045 mm or less, for example.

Moreover, the diameter D1 of the dot 101 (see FIG. 4 and FIG. 5) ispreferably about 1.4 mm or more and about 1.7 mm or less, for example.The diameter has a tolerance of about 0.2 mm. Therefore, with thedimension and the tolerance combined together, the diameter D1 of thedot 101 is preferably about 1.2 mm or more and about 1.9 mm or less, forexample.

The diameter D1 of the dot 101 may be greater than the pitch P1 of thenozzles 24 on the ink heads 21C to 21C1. The diameter D1 of the dot 101is set by the print controller 31 based on the print data of the brailletext 100. For example, when the pitch P1 is about 0.14 mm and thediameter D1 of the dot 101 is about 1.2 mm or more and about 1.9 mm orless, the diameter D1 of the dot 101 is greater than the pitch P1.

Letters 100 are formed so that the distance therebetween, i.e., theinter-cell spacing L2 (see FIG. 4), is preferably about 2.5 mm or moreand about 5.0 mm or less. The inter-cell spacing L2 has a tolerance ofabout 0.2 mm. Therefore, with the dimension and the tolerance combinedtogether, the inter-cell spacing L2 is preferably about 2.3 mm or moreand about 5.2 mm or less, for example.

Each dot 101 of the braille text includes ink dots, each of which issmaller than the diameter D1 of the dot 101. The diameter of an ink dotupon landing is smaller than the diameter D1 of the dot 101. Since anink dot is not necessarily circular, the diameter of an ink dot uponlanding herein is an equivalent diameter that is obtained as thediameter of a circle whose area is equal or substantially equal to thearea of the ink dot upon landing. The diameter of an ink dot uponlanding is preferably about one half or less of the diameter D1 of thedot 101, for example. Alternatively, the diameter of an ink dot uponlanding is one third or less of the diameter D1 of the dot 101. Settingsmay be changed so that the diameter of an ink dot upon landing is aboutone tenth or less of the diameter D1 of the dot 101. Conversely, eachdot 101 of braille text is composed of a plurality of ink dots that aremade when ink discharged from the ink discharge head 21 is cured.

The diameter of an ink dot upon landing is set by the size setter 32 ofthe controller 30. The diameter of an ink dot upon landing refers to thediameter of a photocurable ink droplet discharged from the ink heads 21Cto 21C1 upon landing on the recording medium 5 or upon landing onphotocurable ink on the recording medium 5. The diameter of an ink dotupon landing is preferably about 0.08 mm, for example. Herein, the sizesetter 32 sets the diameter of a photocurable ink droplet upon landingto be less than the diameter D1 of the dot 101. However, the diameter ofan ink dot upon landing is not limited thereto. The diameter of an inkdot upon landing may vary depending on the print conditions. Forexample, for each set of print conditions, one or more ink dot size maybe selected from among a plurality of predetermined ink dot sizes.

During the formation of the second print layer Ly2, the inkjet printer10 according to the present preferred embodiment preferably feeds alength Lh/10 of the recording medium 5 per one iteration, wherein thefeed length Lh/10 is set to be greater than the diameter D1 of the dot101. In other words, a natural number N (N is a natural number of 2 ormore) is preferably set such that Lh/N is greater than the diameter D1of the dot 101, where the length Lh of the ink discharge head 21 is apredetermined length. N is the number of layers of the second printlayer Ly2. In the present preferred embodiment, N is preferably 10, forexample. It is understood that N may preferably be set to any othernatural number that satisfies the conditions described above. Forexample, N may be set to 15, or other suitable values. FIG. 7 shows therelationship between the feed length Lh/N of the recording medium 5(herein, N=10) and the arrangement of dots 101. As shown in FIG. 7, thefeed length Lh/10 is greater than the diameter D1 of the dot 101. Notethat the hatched portion of a dot 101 of FIG. 7 represents a portion ofthe dot 101 that has been formed at the time of FIG. 7.

As shown in FIG. 7, the feed length Lh/N during the formation of thesecond print layer Ly2 is set to be shorter than the dot-to-dot spacingL1 in the secondary scanning direction X. Moreover, the feed length Lh/Nis shorter than the inter-cell spacing L2 in the secondary scanningdirection X. And, the feed length Lh/N is shorter than the distancebetween a dot 101 in a cell 102 and a corresponding dot 101 in anadjacent cell 102, i.e., a pitch L3 of the cells 102 (see also FIG. 4),in the secondary scanning direction X. Thus, the length Lh/N is set soas to be greater than the diameter D1 of the dot 101 and less than thedot-to-dot spacing L1, the inter-cell spacing L2 and the cell pitch L3.Note, however, that this is one exemplary setting, which does not alwaysneed to be satisfied. Alternatively, only one or more of the diameter D1of the dot 101, the dot-to-dot spacing L1, the inter-cell spacing L2,and the inter-cell pitch L3 may satisfy the above setting.

For example, the amount Lh/N by which the recording medium 5 is fed perone iteration when forming one print layer may be set to be greater thanthe dot-to-dot spacing L1 in the secondary scanning direction X. Forexample, when the length Lh is about 25.4 mm and the number of layers Nis 16, for example, the feed amount Lh/N per one iteration is preferablyabout 1.59 mm, for example. This length is greater than the dot-to-dotspacing L1 (about 0.38 mm or more and about 0.62 mm or less, forexample). Note, however, that the amount Lh/N by which the recordingmedium 5 is fed per one iteration when forming one print layer may beless than the dot-to-dot spacing L1 in the secondary scanning directionX. For example, when the length Lh is about 25.4 mm and the number oflayers N is 96, the feed amount Lh/N per one iteration is preferablyabout 0.26 mm, for example. This length is less than the dot-to-dotspacing L1 (about 0.38 mm or more and about 0.62 mm or less, forexample). The amount Lh/N by which the recording medium 5 is fed per oneiteration may be greater than the inter-cell spacing L2 in the secondaryscanning direction X. For example, when the length Lh is about 25.4 mmand the number of layers N is 4, the feed amount Lh/N per one iterationis preferably about 6.35 mm, for example. This length is greater thanthe inter-cell spacing L2 (about 2.3 mm or more and about 5.2 mm orless). The Lh/N by which the recording medium 5 is fed per one iterationmay be greater than the diameter D1 of the dot 101. For example, whenthe length Lh is about 25.4 mm and the number of layers N is 8, the feedamount Lh/N per one iteration is preferably about 3.18 mm, for example.This length is greater than the diameter D1 of the dot 101 (about 1.2 mmor more and about 1.9 mm or less). Note, however, that the amount Lh/Nby which the recording medium 5 is fed per one iteration may be lessthan the diameter D1 of the dot 101. For example, when the length Lh isabout 25.4 mm and the number of layers N is 16, the feed amount Lh/N perone iteration is preferably about 1.59 mm, for example. This length maybe less than the diameter D1 of the dot 101 (about 1.2 mm or more andabout 1.9 mm or less).

The minimum landing spacing of photocurable ink in the primary scanningdirection Y may be less than the diameter D1 of the dot 101. Forexample, when the minimum landing spacing of photocurable ink is about0.07 mm, it is less than the diameter D1 of the dot 101 (about 1.2 mm ormore and about 1.9 mm or less, for example). Moreover, the minimumlanding spacing of photocurable ink in the primary scanning direction Ymay be less than the dot-to-dot spacing L1. For example, when theminimum landing spacing of photocurable ink is about 0.07 mm, it is lessthan the dot-to-dot spacing L1 (about 0.38 mm or more and about 0.62 mmor less, for example).

Note that the number of print layers is preferably three, for example,in the method for forming braille text described above, but the numberis not limited to three. The number of additional print layers to beformed over the first print layer may be one, for example. Then, thetotal number of print layers is two.

In the method for forming braille text described above, N-layer-stackingprinting is performed when forming the second print layer Ly2, but thepresent invention is not limited thereto. The print layer for whichlayer-stacking printing is performed is not limited to the second printlayer. The print layer for which layer-stacking printing is performedmay be a print layer other than the second print layer or may be aplurality of print layers. No print layer may be formed bylayer-stacking printing, and every print layer may be formed in a singlescan. In any case, it is believed that eight is sufficient for thenumber of print layers. That is, the number of print layers maypreferably be eight or less, and the number of additional print layersmay preferably be seven or less, for example. Moreover, the type of inkused to form braille text is not limited to a clear ink and a white ink,but may include a color ink, for example. For example, preferably, inanother preferred embodiment, preferably, the first print layer is amatte clear ink layer (single-layer), the second print layer is a glossyclear ink layer (multi-layer), and the third print layer is a color inklayer (single-layer). In still another preferred embodiment, preferably,the first print layer is a matte clear ink layer (single-layer), thesecond print layer is a glossy clear ink layer (multi-layer), the thirdprint layer is a glossy clear ink layer (multi-layer), and the fourthprint layer is a white ink layer (single-layer), for example. In yetanother preferred embodiment, preferably the first print layer is amatte clear ink layer (single-layer), the second print layer is a glossyclear ink layer (multi-layer), the third print layer is a glossy clearink layer (multi-layer), and the fourth print layer is a color ink layer(single-layer), for example. Moreover, one may employ any combination ofthe number, type and order of print layers.

Second Preferred Embodiment

In a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inkjetprinter 10 forms a 3D print on the recording medium 5. FIG. 8 shows anexemplary 3D print formed by the inkjet printer 10 according to thepresent preferred embodiment. The 3D print shown in FIG. 8 is a 3Dsignage 110. The entirety of the 3D signage 110 shown in FIG. 8 israised from the recording medium 5. Moreover, non-hatched portions aresunken relative to hatched portions. The 3D signage 110 represents apredetermined sign by the planar shape defined by boundaries betweenhatched portions and non-hatched portions. The boundaries are preferablyrounded. The inkjet printer 10 according to the present preferredembodiment preferably forms a 3D print, such as the 3D signage 110 ofFIG. 8, for example. There is no particular limitation on the type ofink used to form a 3D print, but a color ink and a clear ink arepreferably used in the example to be discussed below.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the 3D signage 110 taken along lineIX-IX of FIG. 8. Note, however, that FIG. 9 is a schematic view, and maynot necessarily represent the actual proportions of the variousportions. As shown in FIG. 9, the 3D signage 110 includes four printlayers. Of the four print layers, a first print layer Ly11 is formeddirectly on the recording medium 5. The first print layer Ly11 is thelowermost layer of the four print layers. The first print layer Ly11 isformed from the clear ink. A second print layer Ly12 is formed directlyon the first print layer Ly11. The second print layer Ly12 is alsoformed from the clear ink. A third print layer Ly13 is formed directlyon the second print layer Ly12. The third print layer Ly13 is alsoformed from the clear ink. A fourth print layer Ly14 is formed directlyon the third print layer Ly13. The fourth print layer Ly14 is theuppermost layer of the four print layers. The fourth print layer Ly14 isformed from the color ink.

The first print layer Ly11 according to the present preferred embodimentis preferably a matte print layer of the clear ink, for example. In theformation of the first print layer Ly11, the controller 30 causes theclear ink to be discharged from the ink head 21C1 while moving thecarriage 1 in the first primary scanning direction Y1, as in the firstpreferred embodiment. The controller 30 causes UV light to be outputfrom the second UV lamp 25 b to cure the discharged clear inkimmediately. The inkjet printer 10 according to the present preferredembodiment forms the first print layer Ly11 by repeating the operationdescribed above, as in the first preferred embodiment. After printing iscompleted for one scanning line, the recording medium 5 is moveddownstream X2 over the length Lh, as in the first preferred embodiment.For the thickness direction, the first print layer Ly11 is formed from asingle shot of the clear ink.

The second print layer Ly12 is formed on the first print layer Ly11. Thesecond print layer Ly12 according to the present preferred embodiment ispreferably a glossy print layer of the clear ink, for example. Betweenthe formation of the first print layer Ly11 and the formation of thesecond print layer Ly12, the recording medium 5 is once returned to theupstream X1 side. Then, the second print layer Ly12 is formed on thefirst print layer Ly11. The controller 30 causes the clear ink to bedischarged from the ink head 21C1 while moving the carriage 1 in thefirst primary scanning direction Y1, as in the first preferredembodiment. The discharged ink is cured by UV light output from thefirst UV lamp 25 a while the carriage 1 is being returned in the secondprimary scanning direction Y2.

The controller 30 forms the second print layer Ly12 bit by bit whilemoving the recording medium 5 downstream X2 preferably over Lh/10 perone iteration, for example, as in the first preferred embodiment. Thesecond print layer Ly12 is formed by a process similar to that used forforming the second print layer Ly2 in the first preferred embodiment.For the thickness direction, the second print layer Ly12 is formed froma plurality of shots of the clear ink. The second print layer Ly12defines the relatively sunken portions of the upper surface of the 3Dsignage 110. In view of this, the second print layer Ly12 is preferablyformed to be glossy with a smooth surface.

The third print layer Ly13 defines the relatively raised portions of the3D signage 110. The third print layer Ly13 is also preferably a glossyprint layer, for example. The third print layer Ly13 is formed in aplurality of scans, as is the second print layer Ly12. The boundarybetween the side surface and the upper surface of the third print layerLy13 is rounded, as shown in FIG. 9. The roundedness is obtained by thestepped shape. In FIG. 9, the upper two layers of the third print layerLy13 define the stepped shape. The edge portion E of FIG. 9 is where inkis not discharged during the formation of the upper two layers. Theprint data for the upper two layers is different from that for the otherlower layers. During the formation of an actual 3D signage, every stepportion sags down, thus forming a smooth curved surface. In theformation of the third print layer Ly13, it is possible to providerounded corners as described above. Note that the “two layers” aremerely illustrative, and it does not need to be two layers.

The fourth print layer Ly14 forms a color layer on the surface of the 3Dsignage 110. The fourth print layer Ly14 is formed from the color ink,giving a predetermined color or colors to the surface layer of the 3Dsignage 110 formed from the first print layer Ly11, the second printlayer Ly12 and the third print layer Ly13. The fourth print layer isprinted in a single scan.

Thus, with the inkjet printer 10 according to the present preferredembodiment, it is possible to effectively produce a 3D print. Note,however, that the method for producing a 3D signage using four printlayers as described above is merely an example, and one may again useany combination of the number, type and order of print layers. Forexample, a clear ink (glossy) may be further formed as an overcoat onthe color layer in order to give a glossy finish to the upper surface ofthe 3D signage. The shape of the 3D signage is also not limited to thatshown in FIG. 8.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been describedabove, the present invention is not limited to the preferred embodimentsabove, and the present invention can be carried out in various otherpreferred embodiments.

For example, while the inkjet printer 10 according to the preferredembodiments described above prints while the carriage 1 is being movedin the first primary scanning direction Y1, it may also print while thecarriage 1 is being moved in the second primary scanning direction Y2.That is, the inkjet printer 10 may perform two-way printing. Whenprinting is performed while the carriage 1 is being moved in the secondprimary scanning direction Y2, UV light is output from the first UV lamp25 a during matte printing, and UV light is output from the second UVlamp 25 b during gloss printing.

The inkjet printer 10 according to the preferred embodiments describedabove includes the carriage 1 that moves in the primary scanningdirection Y, with the ink discharge head 21 mounted on the carriage 1.However, the carriage 1 may not be necessary. The inkjet printer may bea line-head inkjet printer in which the ink discharge head 21 does notmove in the primary scanning direction Y. The inkjet printer may includeink discharge heads extending in the primary scanning direction Y andarranged next to each other in the secondary scanning direction X, andmay be configured so that the recording medium is transported in thesecondary scanning direction X. Alternatively, the inkjet printer mayinclude ink discharge heads extending in the primary scanning directionY and arranged next to each other in the secondary scanning direction X,and may be configured so that the ink discharge head moves in thesecondary scanning direction X.

While the inkjet printer 10 according to the preferred embodimentsdescribed above continuously feeds the recording medium 5, it mayalternatively be a “flat-bed” inkjet printer.

According to a method for forming braille text on a recording mediumaccording to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, thebraille text including a plurality of cells with one or more dotsarranged in each cell, at least one of the cells including a pluralityof dots arranged therein, the method includes discharging a photocurableink onto the recording medium and curing the discharged photocurable inkwith light, thus forming a print layer on the recording medium, anddischarging a photocurable ink onto the print layer and curing thedischarged photocurable ink with light, thus forming one or moreadditional print layer on the print layer. Resultant braille text isformed by the print layer and the one or more additional print layer,and the resultant braille text preferably has an intra-cell dot-to-dotspacing of about 0.38 mm or more and about 1.32 mm or less, for example.

According to a method for forming braille text on a recording mediumaccording to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, thebraille text including a plurality of cells with one or more dotsarranged in each cell, the method includes discharging a photocurableink onto the recording medium and curing the discharged photocurable inkwith light, thus forming a print layer on the recording medium, anddischarging a photocurable ink onto the print layer and curing thedischarged photocurable ink with light, thus forming one or moreadditional print layer on the print layer. Resultant braille text isformed by the print layer and the one or more additional print layer,and the resultant braille text has preferably a dot diameter of about1.2 mm or more and about 1.9 mm or less, for example.

According to a method for forming braille text on a recording mediumaccording to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, thebraille text including a plurality of dots, the method includesdischarging a photocurable ink onto the recording medium and curing thedischarged photocurable ink with light, thus forming a print layer onthe recording medium, and discharging a photocurable ink onto the printlayer and curing the discharged photocurable ink with light, thusforming one or more additional print layer on the print layer, whereinresultant braille text is formed by the print layer and the one or moreadditional print layer, and ink dots of the photocurable ink uponlanding preferably have a diameter that is about one half or less of adot diameter of the resultant braille text, for example.

According to a method for forming braille text on a recording mediumaccording to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, thebraille text including a plurality of dots, the method includesdischarging a photocurable ink onto the recording medium and curing thedischarged photocurable ink with light, thus forming a print layer onthe recording medium, and discharging a photocurable ink onto the printlayer and curing the discharged photocurable ink with light, thusforming one or more additional print layer on the print layer, whereinresultant braille text is formed by the print layer and the one or moreadditional print layer, and ink dots of the photocurable ink uponlanding preferably have a diameter that is about one third or less of adot diameter of the resultant braille text, for example.

According to a method for forming braille text on a recording mediumaccording to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, thebraille text including a plurality of cells with one or more dotsarranged in each cell, the method includes discharging a photocurableink onto the recording medium and curing the discharged photocurable inkwith light, thus forming a print layer on the recording medium, anddischarging the photocurable ink onto the print layer and curing thedischarged photocurable ink with light, thus forming one or moreadditional print layer on the print layer. The formation of at least oneof the print layer and the one or more additional print layer includes astep of repeating the discharging and curing of the photocurable ink andan operation of moving the recording medium in a first direction over afirst distance, wherein the first distance is preferably greater than adot diameter of resultant braille text.

With the methods for forming braille text described above, it ispossible to easily form braille text using a method for forming aplurality of print layers with a photocurable ink.

A method for forming a print on a recording medium according to apreferred embodiment of the present invention includes discharging thephotocurable ink onto the recording medium and curing the dischargedphotocurable ink with light, thus forming a first print layer on therecording medium, and discharging a photocurable ink onto the recordingmedium and curing the discharged photocurable ink with light, thusforming a second print layer over the first print layer. The dischargingand curing of the photocurable ink and an operation of moving therecording medium in a first direction are repeated a first number ofiterations per a predetermined distance in the first direction, thusforming the first print layer, and the discharging and curing of thephotocurable ink and an operation of moving the recording medium in thefirst direction are repeated a second number of iterations, differentfrom the first number of iterations, per the predetermined distance inthe first direction, thus forming the second print layer.

A method for forming a print on a recording medium according to apreferred embodiment of the present invention includes discharging aphotocurable ink onto the recording medium and curing the dischargedphotocurable ink with light, thus forming a print layer on the recordingmedium, and discharging a photocurable ink onto the print layer andcuring the discharged photocurable ink with light, thus forming one ormore additional print layer on the print layer. The formation of atleast one of the print layer and the one or more additional print layerincludes a first step of discharging the photocurable ink onto a firstarea on the recording medium, a second step, after the first step, ofmoving the recording medium in a first direction, and a third step,after the second step, of discharging the photocurable ink onto a secondarea on the recording medium and further discharging the photocurableink onto the first area, the second area being located in a seconddirection, which is opposite to the first direction, from the firstarea. Upon completion of the third step, a height of the first area isgreater than a height of the second area.

With the methods for forming a print described above, it is possible toform a 3D signage using a method for forming a plurality of print layerswith a photocurable ink. Regarding the formation of a plurality of printlayers, by repeating the discharging and curing of the ink an intendednumber of iterations, it is possible to easily form a thick 3D signage.

The terms and expressions used herein are used for explanation purposesand should not be construed as being restrictive. It should beappreciated that the terms and expressions used herein do not eliminateany equivalents of features illustrated and mentioned herein, butinclude various modifications falling within the claimed scope of thepresent invention. The present invention may be embodied in manydifferent forms. The present disclosure is to be considered as providingexamples of the principles of the present invention. These examples aredescribed herein with the understanding that such examples are notintended to limit the present invention to preferred embodimentsdescribed herein and/or illustrated herein. Hence, the present inventionis not limited to the preferred embodiments described herein. Thepresent invention includes any and all preferred embodiments includingequivalent elements, modifications, omissions, combinations, adaptationsand/or alterations as would be appreciated by those skilled in the arton the basis of the present disclosure. The limitations in the claimsare to be interpreted broadly based on the language included in theclaims and not limited to examples described in the presentspecification or during the prosecution of the application.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been describedabove, it is to be understood that variations and modifications will beapparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scopeand spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention,therefore, is to be determined solely by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for forming braille text on a recordingmedium, the braille text including a plurality of cells with one or moredots arranged in each cell, at least one of the plurality of cellsincluding a plurality of dots arranged therein, the method comprising:discharging a photocurable ink onto the recording medium and curing thedischarged photocurable ink with light to form a print layer on therecording medium; and discharging a photocurable ink onto the printlayer and curing the discharged photocurable ink with light to form oneor more additional print layers on the print layer; wherein the step offorming at least one of the print layer and the one or more additionalprint layers includes a step of repeating the discharging and curing ofthe photocurable ink and an operation of moving the recording medium ina first direction over a first distance; and the first distance isgreater than an intra-cell dot-to-dot spacing in the first direction. 2.The method for forming braille text according to claim 1, wherein thefirst distance is greater than a dot diameter of the braille text. 3.The method for forming braille text according to claim 1, furthercomprising: discharging the photocurable ink so as to form a first inkdot; discharging the photocurable ink so as to form a second ink dot ata second distance from the first ink dot in a second direction that isperpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first direction;wherein the second distance is less than a dot diameter of the brailletext.
 4. The method for forming braille text according to claim 1,further comprising: discharging the photocurable ink so as to form afirst ink dot; discharging the photocurable ink so as to form a secondink dot at a second distance from the first ink dot in a seconddirection that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to thefirst direction; wherein the second distance is less than the intra-celldot-to-dot spacing in the first direction.
 5. The method for formingbraille text according to claim 1, wherein the first distance is greaterthan an inter-cell spacing in the first direction.
 6. The method forforming braille text according to claim 1, wherein a dot diameter of thebraille text is greater than a diameter of an ink dot of thephotocurable ink upon landing on the recording medium.
 7. An inkjetprinter for forming braille text on a recording medium, the braille textincluding a plurality of cells with one or more dots arranged in eachcell, at least one of the plurality of cells including a plurality ofdots arranged therein, the inkjet printer comprising: an ink headincluding a plurality of nozzles arranged in line in a first directionthat discharge a photocurable ink onto the recording medium; a conveyorthat moves the ink head in a second direction that is perpendicular orsubstantially perpendicular to the first direction; a photoirradiatorthat outputs light to cure the photocurable ink onto the recordingmedium; a feeder that moves the recording medium in the first direction;and a controller configured or programmed to include a print controllerthat controls the ink head, the conveyor, the photoirradiator, and thefeeder so as to form the braille text with the photocurable ink on therecording medium; wherein the print controller is configured orprogrammed to include: a feed amount setter that sets an amount by whichthe recording medium is fed per one iteration; a feed controller thatcontrols the feeder so as to feed the recording medium in the firstdirection by the feed amount set by the feed amount setter per oneiteration; a discharge controller that controls the ink head so as todischarge the photocurable ink onto the recording medium between a feedoperation and another feed operation by the feeder; a moving controllerthat controls the conveyor so as to move the ink head in the seconddirection between a feed operation and another feed operation by thefeeder; and an irradiation controller that controls the photoirradiatorso as to output light onto the photocurable ink having been dischargedonto the recording medium between a feed operation and another feedoperation by the feeder; wherein the feed amount setter sets the feedamount to be greater than an intra-cell dot-to-dot spacing in the firstdirection.
 8. The inkjet printer according to claim 7, wherein the feedamount setter sets the feed amount to be greater than a dot diameter ofthe braille text.
 9. The inkjet printer according to claim 7, whereinthe feed amount setter sets the feed amount to be greater than aninter-cell spacing in the first direction.
 10. The inkjet printeraccording to claim 7, wherein the controller includes a size setter thatsets a size of the photocurable ink discharged from the plurality ofnozzles; and the size setter sets a diameter of an ink dot of thephotocurable ink upon landing to be less than a dot diameter of thebraille text.
 11. The inkjet printer according to claim 7, wherein theplurality of nozzles are arranged in line on the ink head in the firstdirection with a first pitch; and the print controller performs controlso that the dot diameter of the braille text is greater than the firstpitch.
 12. The inkjet printer according to claim 7, wherein thedischarge controller discharges the photocurable ink to form a first inkdot and discharges the photocurable ink to form a second ink dot with atleast a second distance from the first ink dot in the second direction;and the second distance is less than the dot diameter of the brailletext.
 13. The inkjet printer according to claim 7, wherein the dischargecontroller discharges the photocurable ink to form a first ink dot anddischarges the photocurable ink to form a second ink dot with at least asecond distance from the first ink dot in the second direction; and thesecond distance is less than an intra-cell dot-to-dot spacing in thefirst direction.